Shaking her from my thoughts, I do what I do best and focus on the only thing I’m good at.

  Lacing up my skates, I grab my helmet and gloves before following my team out of the locker room. Adrenaline starts to flow through my veins as the crowd gears up for our entrance. It’s the first game of the season, and you can tell by the energy in the air that they are amped up tonight.

  Standing in the hallway, we watch the arena go dim as the spotlights zig-zag across the ice, and our opening song comes on, further pumping up the crowd. The announcer starts off with Cayden as he takes the ice first, followed by the rest of the starting lineup.

  Shifting on my skates, I put my helmet and gloves on as I wait for my name to be called last. It’s always something I’ve done, and I’m not about to stop now. My team goes before me, and I make sure everyone is off the ice before I leave.

  When I hear my number twenty-two being called, I hit the ice with speed, taking my first warm-up lap. Fans are standing and cheering as our team glides by the glass. I make sure to skate over to the section Miles said he would be at on my next lap.

  I didn’t doubt for a second that he wouldn’t be here. He’s never not shown up for me. He and his brothers even got a block of season tickets this year so they could alternate and take their kids to come watch some of the games.

  When I get to his section, I tap the glass with my stick when I see Miles and Olivia. He grins broadly and holds up his beer in a toast. I see his brothers next with their wives as they cheer with the crowd.

  Then I see her. She’s at the end of the row, standing and clapping with everyone else. Her hair is down tonight, and she’s wearing a black skirt with a cropped white t-shirt.

  I notice her flushed cheeks and can feel her excitement seep into me as if it were my own. Her eyes finally meet mine, and the way she’s looking at me right now is something I will never forget. She’s so full of life, just like the first time we met, but there’s something else there that causes some of my walls to splinter as I let in some of her light.

  She’s looking at me just like my mom used to whenever I hit the ice.

  She’s proud of me.

  After everything I’ve done to push her away…to shelter her from parts of me that have no business touching her…she’s still here cheering me on.

  “Kick some ass,” she mouths, and I can’t help but grin as I skate away.

  That I can do, sunshine.

  By the time the puck drops, I’ve got my head back in the game as I maneuver around the ice at lightning speed.

  I feel her eyes on me, and I become invincible as I score the first goal five minutes into the game. The horn goes off, and I grin at the line with me on the ice as my glove comes up to rest over my heart. They surround me in a group hug and tap their helmets to mine.

  Glancing up in the stands, our eyes meet briefly. She’s so happy in this moment, and to know I put that smile on her face makes me want to score a hundred more for her tonight.

  “Fuck yeah, Stone!” Hayes touches his glove to mine, bringing me back to the game. “That’s how we fucking do it!”

  I hear my name throughout the stadium as they announce the goal. Taking a seat on the bench, Coach slaps my back, letting me know I did well before focusing back on the ice.

  I squirt some water in my mouth as my eyes remain on the puck, anxious to get back out there. By the time the first period ends, we are up 2-0 thanks to Kane getting past the net with his wicked slapshot from the center line.

  Cayden skates over from the goalie post and goes in first to the locker room, followed by the rest of the team.

  Sitting down, I strip my jersey and pads off before taking an electrolyte drink that’s handed to me by one of our support staff, along with an iPad so I can review some of our plays.

  “How fast did they clock you, Kane?” Foxx calls out as he retapes his stick.

  “One hundred and one,” he grins. “Not even Cayden could have stopped that one.”

  “I’ve stopped faster,” he responds in the corner as he adjusts some of his gear. “Just be thankful you’re on my team.”

  “Stone, you’re kicking ass out there. I can barely keep up with you,” Hayes laughs, as he uses a towel to wipe the sweat off his chest and arms.

  “Then skate faster,” I retort, keeping my eyes on the screen and memorizing where their goalie’s weaknesses are.

  His sweaty towel hits my head, and I toss it away.

  “You smell like shit,” I growl, causing him to chuckle.

  “No, that’s just McCormick sitting next to you.”

  “Fuck you,” Thane hits back while re-tying his skates.

  It doesn’t matter which team you play on in hockey—the locker rooms are always the same. Some like their silence and put on headphones to clear their mind and stay focused, while others like banter and fucking with each other to let off steam and relax.

  The eighteen minutes fly by like they always do, and after a strategy talk with some of the coaches, we are gearing up again, eager to be back on the ice.

  We dominate the second period, and by the time we near the end of the third, I can tell the other team is getting frustrated by the number of times unnecessary fights are breaking out.

  A cocky grin appears on McCormick’s face as he taunts the other player before stepping into the penalty box with me.

  “Well, this is a first,” I chuckle. “I’m used to seeing your ugly face in the other box next to me, not sharing one.”

  “Yeah, I’m still getting used to it. I kind of miss beating your ass on the ice.” Throwing his helmet off, he squirts water in his mouth and spits on the floor.

  “Zimmerman must have hit you in the head harder than I thought for you to be saying bullshit like that.”

  “He wishes he had gotten a shot at me. All that pussy wanted to do was take my clothes off.” He adjusts his pads and fixes his skewed jersey. “Did you see how he’s playing? Zimmerman and Sully have it out for us.”

  “They’re just pissed they can’t catch us,” I grin. “All we have is five minutes left once this penalty is over, and they know with the score five to one that they don’t stand a chance, so now they’re just fucking with us.”

  “How about we make it six to one once we get out of this box? You’re one away from a hat trick, and even though I hate to admit it, you’ve outplayed us all tonight and deserve to get one more fucking puck in.”

  “Did you just compliment me?” I arch my eyebrow and throw my helmet back on as the seconds tick down to when we can escape this sin bin.

  “Don’t get used to it,” he grumbles. “Maybe I really did hit my head.” He shoots me a smug look before his helmet goes on.

  Grabbing our sticks, we stand and wait for the final two seconds on the clock.

  “Let’s do it,” I say, as our skates hit the ice and we’re thrown back into the game.

  I avoid getting pummeled by Sully as I take control of the puck. I know he’s just looking to put me back in the box, and normally I’d take the bait, but I’ve got something I want more.

  McCormick flanks my right as Hayes gets into position on my left. I shoot it back to Kane at the center line as he passes it to Foxx on the opposite end. It’s clearly a game of keep away, letting the minutes tick down as we maneuver and pass the puck with a skill that leaves everyone in the stands on edge as they try to keep track of the black object.

  Just when we get down to a minute, I position myself right where I want to be. The goalie has been slow tonight with the upper left net, and that’s exactly where I’m going.

  McCormick gets the puck and sees an open opportunity with me as he makes the perfect pass to the curve of my stick, as I flick it up and to the left of the net. I watch it land behind the red line as the light goes on, giving me my first hat trick of the season.

  Hats descend from the stands and cover the ice as the crowd’s deafening roar fills the arena.

  My team huddles around me as we celebrate the win, joined by the other players on the bench. Cayden skates over, and I tap my helmet to his. He played a damn good game, keeping our net count low tonight.

  I follow my team off the rink as excited chatter over the win dominates the locker room as we ice bath, shower, and change into our suits.

  Forty-five minutes later, I’m walking out of the player’s exit and into the warm night air. A crowd of mostly female fans swarms me as soon as they see me. I sign a few autographs, making sure the kids standing there get priority as I Sharpie my name on their jerseys and make small talk with them.

  When the crowd finally breaks, I spot Miles’s family standing off to the side, talking to a few of my teammates. I know Travis and Jake have inked a few, and a lot of people know Ryder from doing business with him on their cars, so it doesn’t surprise me that they recognize them.

  The conversation that has me walking over with a frown on my face is Savi’s laughter ringing through the air as Hayes speaks a little too close to her ear for my comfort. They are further away from the group, and I’m not liking it one bit.

  “Shouldn’t you be with the rest of the team celebrating at Breakaway?” My voice comes out a little more abruptly than I intended, causing Hayes’s lip to quirk at the corner.

  “Funny, I was just talking to Savannah about that,” he looks at her and grins. “Seems like she’s headed that way too.”

  “To Breakaway?” I glance at her, and she just shrugs.

  “My brothers want to celebrate with you, so I guess that’s where we are going.”

  “Wait, do you two know each other?” Hayes asks, looking between us.

  “You could say that?” I grit out. I know her better than I probably should, as memories flash through my mind of how she felt coming apart in my hand.

  “He’s…my brother’s best friend and staying in my guest house until he finds a place.”

  “So you’re the friend,” he chuckles. “Now it makes sense why Knox got so protective over you during the press release. If I had a friend who looked like you, I wouldn’t be sharing your name either.”

  “What’s he talking about?” Savi looks at me in confusion.

  “Nothing important.” I give Hayes the shut the fuck up look, and he just laughs while I try to brush it off like it was nothing. “It was just some nosy reporter trying to get a rise out of me.”

  Miles walks over with Olivia just then, saving me from this conversation.

  “Great game, man.” Miles grabs my shoulder and beams at me. “You guys were killing it out there tonight.”

  “I had forgotten how exciting the games are live,” Olivia grins widely.

  “Better than Chicago games?” I ask, mentioning her old hometown. She told me she’s a huge hockey fan when we first met, and we made a bet I would get her over to my side after our first game.

  “Maybe it was the company,” she says, grinning at Miles as he throws his arm around her, “but I had the best time I’ve ever had at a hockey game. You’ve got one more fan for your team.”

  “I knew I could get you to convert,” I smile.

  “Maybe it was the company?” Miles feigns being hurt, causing her to laugh.

  “It was definitely the company,” she grins, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him on the lips. They seem so happy and at peace with life now. It’s an unfamiliar feeling that I’ve never been able to hold on to.

  I feel Savi’s eyes on me, and I briefly meet them before I look away. I know it’s exactly the type of relationship she wants and the kind she deserves. It puts me on edge, though, when she looks at me as if I could give it to her.

  Travis, Jake, and Ryder finally walk over and join us with their wives as the congratulations go around for our win tonight.

  Just like Hayes said, they all want to go out and celebrate having secured babysitters and sleepovers for the night, so we start walking the few blocks to Breakaway.

  At some point during our walk, the couples pair up, and Savi and I end up bringing up the rear at a slower pace. Hayes must have gone on ahead, eager to meet his adoring fans, I’m sure.

  “What were you and Hayes talking about earlier?”

  She gives me a sideways glance as the question comes out of nowhere. Hell, even I didn’t mean to ask it. It came out before I could stop it.

  “He was just asking me if this was my first game and if I had fun,” she says, looking straight ahead. “Then he asked me if I was going to Breakaway and wanted to buy me a drink later.”

  “About Hayes…”

  “What about him?” She sounds irritated, but, like I always do, I walk into the fire with her.

  “He’s not what you are looking for, Savi. A different girl is on his arm almost every night. He doesn’t do relationships.”

  “You mean he’s like you.” She stops walking and turns to me with a heated stare. “You left me in bed with no explanation, avoided me all week, and now you think you get to decide who I can or cannot talk to?” Her blue eyes are daring me to answer as she crosses her arms over her chest. “It doesn’t work that way, Stone,” she says, using my last name and putting me in my place. “I’ll talk to whoever the hell I want to, and you can’t do a damn thing about it because you decided for the both of us that it’s not going to be you.”

  She storms away and catches up with the group, linking arms with her brother, Travis, as he holds Sophia’s hand with his other.

  Not even the excitement of getting a hat trick tonight could pull me out of this fucking nightmare I’m about to enter as a sigh of regret leaves my body.

  Breakaway after game night is like a pack of wolves coming at you from both sides. Women with their seductive smiles and tempting words whispered into the ears of the one they want for the night, and the men, knowing with their player status and resume, all it usually takes is a smile and some attention before they leave with someone to warm their bed for the night.

  She’s walking into the lion’s den tonight, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it except pray I make it out alive without killing someone.

  TWELVE

  SAVI

  The nerve of that man.

  I had no idea what to expect coming into tonight, but once I got to the stadium, all my worries disappeared as I got sucked up into the excitement of the fans. Every time he would skate by or score a goal, our eyes would lock, and I knew for a fact he was happy I was there. I’ve watched every single one of his games, unbeknownst to him or my brothers, and Knox doesn’t deviate his eyes from the game…ever.

  So why the asshole act?

  The last thing I expected when he came out of the arena was for him to go after Hayes for talking to me. He’s the most frustrating and infuriating man I know, and I’m tired of keeping up with his multiple personalities that he shows me.

  “You okay?” Eve whispers as she appears at my side when we arrive at the bar.

  “I’m peachy keen,” I laugh sarcastically. I’m not about to let a grumpy hockey player ruin my night out with my family. “Do you think they serve alcohol by the bottle here?” I ask, trying to get a glimpse of the feel of the place as we single-file in line and wait to show our IDs at the door.

  “What kind of sports bar is this?” Sophia turns and watches a group of girls dressed to kill walk in with heels so high that I’m wondering if they’re just hoping for a broken ankle at this point.

  I just assumed we would hang out with the team at a sports bar after the game. Thank God, we dressed up a little in skirts and dresses. Usually, I’m in jean shorts and a jersey when I go to any sporting events.

  “It’s not a sports bar.” Knox appears just then and tells us to come with him. We follow him to a side entrance with no line, and he’s immediately let in when the bouncer at the door notices him.

  “Have a good night, Mr. Stone,” he grins.

  “Thanks, Roger.” Knox nods at him while we all file in.

  “This is where you go every night after a game?” Lyla’s eyes get wide when a bottle girl passes by carrying champagne in a little black outfit that barely covers her ass, let alone her perfect breasts on display.

  “I’ve only been here a couple of times,” Knox states, while we follow him to an area in the back marked VIP. “It’s a fairly new place, and the owner is a big fan, so he likes to cater to the team when we are in town. It’s become the guys’ favorite hangout after every home game.”

  I glance around as we walk through the crowd. It’s two levels and dimly lit with a very intimate speakeasy feel to it. Low jazz music plays in the background, creating a sultry atmosphere. Most of the booths and high-top tables are full of couples and groups of friends as we pass by. I notice on the second level, each booth has long black curtains hanging from the ceiling for even more added privacy.

  I can only imagine what goes on in there.

  When we enter the VIP section, various couches and comfortable seating are set throughout. I recognize a few of the players lounging with a drink in their hand. Some already have girls draped over them, as others wait in the wings to pounce at the first opportunity.

  We pick an area in the corner with a round navy velvet sectional. A table sits in the middle for drinks and food. Another couch sits near it with a similar setup and chairs.

  My brothers and their wives fill up the sectional, so I have no choice but to sit with Knox on the smaller sofa. Jett Hayes appears almost instantly, sitting on the other side of me. I feel Knox stiffen beside me, but he remains silent as I focus my attention away from him.

  “You made it,” Jett grins at me. “I was hoping I didn’t just imagine the whole thing.”

  “We just got here,” I smile. It’s hard not to smile around Jett. He has an infectious energy that just makes you feel happy. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s very easy on the eyes with his curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

  A server appears almost immediately, giving us a list of what they offer. The girls decide on champagne while the guys get a bottle of bourbon along with various platters of food to share.